Belgian Grand Prix 2012: Lewis Hamilton ready to reignite F1 title charge as he bids to reel in Fernando Alonso

There was something reassuringly familiar about the incessant rain which fell
over the Ardennes on Friday, drenching Spa’s famous old circuit and the
thousands of waffle-munching petrolheads who gather here each year. Some
things never change.

Cool character: Lewis Hamilton must stay energised and let his driving do the talkingPhoto: ACTION IMAGES

After an Olympic-sized summer break, one of the most unpredictable seasons in Formula One history resumes this weekend with the first of a gruelling run of nine races across 13 weeks and four continents.

It is a run-in to test the hearts, minds and stamina of all those involved, particularly if the second part of the season is anything like the first.

This year thus far would surely have been repeatedly drug-tested if it was an athlete; seven different winners from five different teams in 11 races, countless overtaking manoeuvres, Venezuelans appearing from nowhere to win before slipping, quite literally sometimes, back into the pack.

The souped-up action has not been to everyone’s taste. There remain those sceptical about the advent of 'gimmicks’ such as the DRS moveable rear wing, the KERS energy-boost device and the hyper-sensitive Pirelli tyres, all introduced in an unashamed attempt to spice up the action.

But even the naysayers would have to admit that, artificially-induced or not, the races themselves have been, for the most part, fun to watch.

If the 2012 season has lacked one thing, however, it has been a defining narrative to draw in the masses. Unpredictability is all well and good, but in itself it is not enough. For the season to go down as a classic chaos needs to give way to order. We need to enter each weekend with at least an idea of how it might pan out, knowing what is at stake.

Someone from within that chasing pack behind Fernando Alonso – a model of consistency in an inconsistent Ferrari and undoubtedly the driver of the season so far – needs to put a run together and apply sustained pressure.

Lewis Hamilton has a great chance of doing just that. The 2008 world champion has been almost faultless this year, putting the problems of 2011 firmly behind him. Only bad luck or dodgy pit-lane work by his McLaren team have prevented him from amassing a greater points haul.

Perhaps significantly, though, the Briton won the final race heading into the summer break and feels as if he has momentum on his side.

“There is a lot of positivity around the team right now,” the 27 year-old said before Friday’s two practice sessions were washed out by the rain. “Fernando has been the most consistent driver this year so he is the favourite for the title but it’s all to play for.” It certainly is.

Alonso is unlikely to slip up entirely. Ferrari may not have had the fastest car but the Spaniard’s consistency is remarkable. The two-time champion will equal Michael Schumacher’s record of 24 consecutive points finishes if he finishes in the top 10 tomorrow. But he could begin to slip backwards.

Jenson Button, 88 points behind Alonso, is almost certainly too far back to capitalise should that happen. But there are a number of drivers who could. Hamilton is one of a select group of four that includes both Red Bull drivers and Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen.

If he is to do so Hamilton must keep his mind free from outside distractions. He has allowed his five-year McLaren contract to slip into the final few months without agreeing a renewal.

And while it seems certain that he will eventually do so, it is clear that both parties are still haggling over the finer points of the deal, to the extent that Hamilton continues to publicly threaten McLaren with the vague possibility of moving to another team.

“I don’t see myself anywhere at the moment,” he replied this week when asked where he saw himself next year. “There are still lots of factors to be taken into account.”

Hamilton must not allow those off-track negotiations to affect his on-track form.

This season of thrills and spills, of unpredictability and uncertainty, still has the potential to deliver a grandstand finish. So does Hamilton, but only if he keeps his head.